The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class puts the emphasis on sport with the Sports Tourer. It looks more dynamic than its predecessor and is more agile on the road while offering greater comfort and space. The transverse-mounted version of the two-litre OM 654 diesel engine model series with 110 kW and 140 kW celebrates a clean debut: It is the first engine to fulfil the Euro 6d norm, which is only mandatory for new models as of 2020. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission also makes its début. The avant-garde interior of the B-Class ensures a unique feeling of spaciousness with the distinctive design of the instrument panel. The intuitive user interface of the adaptive MBUX multimedia system is ground-breaking. Its strengths include brilliant graphics, “Hey Mercedes” voice control, a standard touch screen and functions such as MBUX Augmented Reality. State-of-the-art driving assistance systems give the B-Class one of the highest standards of active safety in the segment with functions carried over from the S-Class. Start of sales for the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is 3 December 2018, with delivery due to begin in February 2019.
The designers’ brief was to make the new B-Class stand out visually from the world of minivans. That brief was accepted and executed, with the long wheelbase (2729 mm) with short overhangs, slightly lowered roof line and larger, 16- to 19-inch wheels making for dynamic proportions. The relatively squat, progressive front end with flowing transition from bonnet to A-pillar and on to the windscreen, along with the muscular shoulder of the body, underlines the sporty overall look. The same is true of the low-profile headlamps, the inside of which is already high-grade, detailed and precisely designed on the basic model with H7 headlamps and LED daytime running lights. When ordered with LED headlamps or higher, the B-Class comes with its own daytime running light signature in the form of a double torch. The optional MULTIBEAM LED headlamps have an especially sporty look. They allow fast, electronically controlled adjustment of the headlamps to suit the current traffic conditions. This feature from the luxury class, which made its début in the compact segment in the new A-Class, now produces striking looks and added safety also in the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class.
At the back, the width of the vehicle is accentuated by two-part lamps, reflectors integrated in the bumper and a distinctive black bumper bottom section with diffuser look and chrome trim strip. The large roof spoiler, along with high-gloss black spoilers at the sides of the rear window, makes for improved aerodynamics while ensuring a sporty appearance. The cd value of the new B-Class starts at 0.24 (predecessor: 0.25). The lower roof line further contributes to a best-in-class airflow due to the smaller end face of the car. In addition, the aerodynamics engineers have reduced the wind noise thanks to extensive detail work. The benefits: a high level of alertness as well as the ability to engage in a relaxed conversation. The improved seat geometry and lower belt line make for an even more generous feeling of space than in the previous model. The driver sits 90 millimetres higher than in an A-Class, thus enjoying an especially good all-round view – also thanks to optimised cross-sections of the roof pillars, which obscure less of the surroundings.
The interior of the B-Class is as avant-garde as the much-praised revolutionary interior architecture of the new A-Class, yet distinctive: while the instrument panel of the sister model is split into two horizontal basic bodies, that of the B-Class has a single basic volume, which drops away towards the occupants and has cut-outs in the area of the driver and front passenger. The cut-out in front of the driver houses the fully free-standing display unit, which comes in three different versions: with two 7-inch displays (17.78 cm), with one 7- and one 10.25-inch display (26 cm) and, in the Widescreen version, with two 10.25-inch displays. A head-up display is optionally available. The five round air vents feature a high-grade turbine look with finely styled air ducts, inspired by the world of aviation. In the Style equipment line, the vent surround is colour-accentuated in the depth of the vent geometry to give the impression of an afterburner. The seats offer a flatter and, therefore, more comfortable seating position as well as a larger adjustment range, which also increases the maximum headroom. There is also more space in the width: at 1456 millimetres (plus 33 mm), the front elbow width now has the dimensions of a mid-range vehicle.
The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class comes with driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, thus providing one of the highest levels of active safety in this segment with functions from the S-C lass. For the first time, the B-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. To do so, it employs improved camera and radar systems to anticipate the traffic up to 500 metres ahead while using map and navigation data for assistance functions. For example, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance package is able to support the driver in many route-specific situations, predictively and conveniently adjusting the speed, e.g. when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist. The new B-Class comes as standard with extended Active Brake Assist, which can help mitigate the severity of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead – and now even with crossing pedestrians or cyclists – or prevent them altogether. The new B-Class, too, was developed and tested at the new Vehicle Safety Technology Centre (TFS). The design of the vehicle structures with regard to geometry, material thickness, joining technique and material quality incorporates findings from real-world accidents.
The following five engine variants will be available at the launch of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class:
- B 180 (100 kW/136 hp, 200 Nm) with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (fuel consumption combined 5.6-5.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 128-124 g/km)
- B 200 (120 kW/163 hp, 250 Nm) with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (fuel consumption combined 5.6-5.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 129-124 g/km)
- B 180 d (85 kW/116 hp, 260 Nm) with 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (fuel consumption combined 4.4-4.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 115-109 g/km)
- B 200 d (110 kW/150 hp, 320 Nm) with 8G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (fuel consumption combined 4.5-4.2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 119-112 g/km)
- B 220 d (140 kW/190 hp, 400 Nm) with 8G-DCT dual-clutch transmission (fuel consumption combined 4.5-4.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 119-116 g/km)
The transverse-mounted version of the latest premium diesel engine family makes its début in the new B-Class. Despite its lower displacement – just under two litres – the around 16 percent lighter new diesel engine with 140 kW (190 hp) puts out 10 kW more than the previous engine. On the inside, the OM 654q offers efficiency-enhancing technological highlights such as steel pistons with stepped bowls in an aluminium block. The cylinder liners are coated using the further-improved NANOSLIDE® process. With a cylinder spacing of just 90 mm instead of 94 mm, the new engine is more compact than its predecessor while allowing the exhaust aftertreatment components to be installed directly on the engine, where the exhaust temperature is higher, making for more efficient aftertreatment. Thanks to further improved exhaust aftertreatment, the powerful four-cylinder from the modern OM 654 engine family already meets the Stage 2 RDE (Real Driving Emissions) standard coming into force from 2020, and is certified to Euro 6d. Even in demanding driving situations and under challenging environmental conditions, the B-Class remains within all the emissions limits. This is achieved by additional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with an ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) in the exhaust system of the B-Class. This allows a more generous dose of the reduction agent AdBlue®, as any surpluses can be reduced and converted in the second SCR.
At least as agile as its predecessor while even more comfortable – that was the development brief handed to the suspension specialists for the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Depending on the version, several options are available for the basic configuration, including a lowered comfort suspension and a suspension with active adaptive damping, which lets the driver control the damper tuning while driving using DYNAMIC SELECT. The system uses an electronic valve, the control of which additionally analyses the driving state and optimises the damping rate individually for each wheel. In all versions of the new B-Class, the front wheels feature McPherson struts and forged-aluminium wishbones, to which are attached cast-aluminium steering knuckles. This makes the unsprung mass as low as possible in the interests of road-holding and comfort. At the rear, the models with the entry-level engine variants come with a twist-beam rear axle in the basic configuration. In combination with the more powerful engine variants or if the customer opts for one of the optional suspension systems, use is made of a sophisticated four-link rear axle, which is made extensively of aluminium to reduce the unsprung mass.
The assignment for the designer was clear: the new B-Class needed to be sportier and, in terms of its look, stand out from the ranks of minivans – without sacrificing any of its space or user value. The B-Class is more dynamic than ever, while at the same time offering a particularly generous and airy sense of space. The proportions (long wheelbase paired with short overhangs), the relatively squat, progressive front end with flowing transition from bonnet to A-pillar and on to the windscreen all contribute to the sporty look. At 16 and 19 inches, the wheels are a size bigger than on the previous model. Paired with the muscular shoulder of the body, they also underline the sporty overall look. The same is true of the low-profile headlamps. The high-grade, detailed and precisely designed interior of the headlamps are typical of Mercedes-Benz. Even the entry-level model with H7 headlamps and LED daytime running lamps as well as LED indicators is designed with great attention to detail and quality. While the daytime running lamps in the A-Class take the form of a single strip, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, when equipped with full LED headlamps, uses twin strips as its distinguishing feature. On request, MULTIBEAM headlamps are also available. Thanks to the horizontal accentuation of the interior elements, these headlamps have a particularly sporty appearance. There are two grille slats and the central star in the radiator grille with shell diamond-patterned grille.
